Best mosquito repellent for Alaska in August?

[grummanyankee]

We don't have mosquitoes the size of dive bombers here in Pennsylvania, so "Off" is OK, but I've heard that Alaska requires something more. Have you used anything that helps without fail? I HATE bug bites!

[Hoyaheel]

Skeeters love me. There could be NO mosquitos anywhere -everyone else in the group will be fine (and would report no bugs should anyone ask) but the reason is they're all feasting on me:p

 

I like Ultrathon

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___84830

 

It's especially nice that it's a 2oz tube so I can fly with it for my trips when I'm doing carry-on only:D

[Lou33]

Any brand that is 100% Deet.

[grummanyankee]

Any brand that is 100% Deet.

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT?? Do they make it that strong?

[Lou33]

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT?? Do they make it that strong?

 

I have some that is 100%, but it is 10 years old. It is this brand:

 

http://www.rei.com/product/738782

 

Now they claim it is 99%, but that is certainly close enough. Nothing works like it. I spend time backpacking in the Sierra Nevada where you can encounter clouds of mosquitos and this is the only thing that can be truely effective. But I hear that Alaska can be even worse.

 

Don't splash it on, you only need a few drops.

 

There is also this one:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GUN9KW?ie=UTF8&tag=bearbumsnet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000GUN9KW

 

If you find serious mosquitos, you need serious repellant. I wouldn't mess around with anything less than a 100% DEET, or MAX 100, or DEET 100, whatever they call it.

[Zeta3]

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus spray. We used it in Belize and people were frantically spraying their DEET and being eaten alive by mosquitos, we didn't have any bites at all.

[grummanyankee]

I have some that is 100%, but it is 10 years old. It is this brand:

 

http://www.rei.com/product/738782

 

Now they claim it is 99%, but that is certainly close enough. Nothing works like it. I spend time backpacking in the Sierra Nevada where you can encounter clouds of mosquitos and this is the only thing that can be truely effective. But I hear that Alaska can be even worse.

 

Don't splash it on, you only need a few drops.

 

There is also this one:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GUN9KW?ie=UTF8&tag=bearbumsnet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000GUN9KW

 

If you find serious mosquitos, you need serious repellant. I wouldn't mess around with anything less than a 100% DEET, or MAX 100, or DEET 100, whatever they call it.

Thanks. I'll order some with the highest Deet concentration today.

[Hoyaheel]

The concentration of DEET in a product only determines how LONG it will be effective, not HOW effective it is: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts185.html

 

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/toolkit/DEET.pdf

 

Some people have sensitivity to higher concentrations of DEET. I find the 30% works well for me.

[luckycruzer]

for the last 4 yrs..he uses Avons "Skin so soft" also will keep the critters flea free..they dont like to be in it..use some in pet rinse w/ a sponge..for humans rub on skin full strength

[grummanyankee]

for the last 4 yrs..he uses Avons "Skin so soft" also will keep the critters flea free..they dont like to be in it..use some in pet rinse w/ a sponge..for humans rub on skin full strength

Maybe our critters are different here in Pennsylvania. I never tried it on my cats but I have tried it as a mosquito repellent and had no luck at all. My bites WERE softer, however!

[luckycruzer]

and Ohhh...soooo supple?..works for the hub..in bush and Fairbanks

[Hoyaheel]

SSS doesn't work for me. On me, skeeters seem to find Off a piquant sauce as they suck their blood meal from me:rolleyes: Just play around and find something that works for you!

[boboraji]

Is bug spray really needed? We are renting a truck in Skagway and taking a float plane in Juneau to Taku Lodge...so is mosquito spray necessary?

[grummanyankee]

Is bug spray really needed? We are renting a truck in Skagway and taking a float plane in Juneau to Taku Lodge...so is mosquito spray necessary?

Well, I've never been to Alaska, but have heard from people that have been, that the mosquitoes and other flying insects are really bad. I know my husband's grandfather lived in Canada and he used to tell us they had 2 seasons: 9 months of winter and 3 months of mosquitoes. I can't even imagine going without taking at least a tube of cream or pump spray with an effective ingredient like Deet. Possibly someone who had been there could tell you if this is a bad time of the year for insects.

[KandCsailing]

For anyone who wants to know the amounts of Deet in OFF products, here's the site with a guide.

 

http://www.offprotects.com/deet/

[OrlandoD]

No, I am not an Avon sales person. I used an Avon product that is both sunscreen (spf 30) and SSS when we traveled up north this summer called Bug Guard Plus. Used this during our Halifax and St John stop - no bites for me!:D